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Shanghai World Expo 2010

As an Associate Partner of the Australian pavilion, the Australia China Business Council will be convening a range of events at Shanghai World Expo 2010. Shanghai World Expo 2010 offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Australia as a leading investment destination and world class trading partner.

The Australia China Business Council will host strategic dialogues with key sectors, engage leading Chinese officials and companies, and will offer its Members opportunities to actively take part in trade missions and targeted business matching sessions in strategic areas around the Yangtze River delta.

These events will form an important part of Australia's business program, which will convene more than 200 events between May and October 2010.

As a national organisation with Branches in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, the Council will also be actively supporting state and territory government participation throughout the Expo period.

For more information about the Council's participation, please contact National Executive Director Laurie Pearcey on laurie [dot] pearcey [at] acbc [dot] com [dot] au.

A snapshot of the business program provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's World Expo Unit is provided below. A comprehensive outline (including contact details of relevant stakeholders and government departments) can be downloaded as a pdf by clicking here.

May
The international launch of Brand Australia will headline the pavilion’s program in May.  A Liveable/Sustainable Cities of the Future Forum - a national promotion coordinated by Victoria and Austrade - will mark the first of a series of events across expo aimed at highlighting an Australian perspective on urban development challenges.  Victoria week (17 23 May) will promote trade and investment in a range of industry sectors, including automotives and information and communications technology; and will highlight the success of the Victoria-Jiangsu Sister State relationship.  Tourism Australia will establish Australia’s tourism credentials with a major ‘See the Pavilion, Feel the Country’ promotion at the beginning of the month, and will join with pavilion sponsor Qantas to hold the second Premier Aussie Specialists award ceremony.

Queensland will be showcasing food and wine, and South Australia will round off its ‘live, work, study’ China roadshow with an event in the pavilion.  Austrade events will highlight the diversity of Australian capabilities, showcasing visual arts, agribusiness, financial services, environmental industries and business and construction.  May rounds off with a strong focus on higher education by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), including the announcement the finalists for the second Australia-China Alumni Association Awards, a Chinese Endeavour Alumni event, and a high-level forum involving key leaders in education fields to discuss emerging issues in higher education. 

June
The expo's eyes will focus on Australia, both within and beyond Australia's pavilion, on 8 June when Australia will celebrate its designated national day.  A Queensland feature week (20-26 June) will highlight that state's innovation and education credentials, while underlining the maturity and mutual benefit of the twenty-year Queensland-Shanghai Sister State relationship.  Austrade-led promotions in clean energy and bio-technology will draw attention to Australia's scientific and research capabilities.  Other Austrade initiatives will profile the creative industries and agribusiness.  Australia’s outstanding education and training credentials remain on display, with a workshop examining the range of student support mechanisms available to international students, as well as showcases by Victoria and Western Australia.

Highlighting Australia's ascendency in world rankings of financial sector development and stability, financial services capabilities will be on show at the beginning of the month, including a focus on government securities and investment by Treasury.  Queensland, Victoria and Tourism Australia keep tourism in focus, including Industry Advisory Group and Convention and Visitor Bureau meetings.  Sport and food industries will also feature, including a spotlight on the people behind Australia’s successful wine industry, and a Western Australian agriculture and food event.  AustCham Shanghai will host a gala dinner for its members.

July
July kicks off with a focus on agriculture coordinated by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), followed by a week of Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET) events highlighting Australia’s energy and resources capabilities.  The Australia-China Natural Gas Technology Partnership will feature, as well as low emissions coal research, renewable energy and an Austrade event on clean technology.  New South Wales will showcase its unique business, cultural and academic assets during NSW week (12-18 July).   A series of legal services and legal education workshops run by the Attorney-General’s Department will connect Australian and Chinese legal and business service providers, including in the areas of education, arbitration and mediation.  Austrade will work with the Australian Services Roundtable to host an event demonstrating developing commercial opportunities in the relationship between respective services sectors.

A business mission from the Australian Capital Territory, and an Austrade event on the baby and maternity industry feature alongside a Queensland education and training event.  A meeting of Australian and Chinese tourism officials will provide an opportunity to explore ways of tapping into the greater Chinese tourism market over the coming decades.  The Australia China Business Council will host two events showcasing Australian excellence to China.

August
August is Oceania month at World Expo.  Australia's approach to climate change, including in a regional context, will be one of this month's highlights, with a two-day Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) forum on climate change and water science.  Australia’s outstanding nanotechnology and biotechnology expertise will also feature in a two-day DIISR workshop celebrating the 30th anniversary of the bilateral science and technology relationship.  The pavilion will host a focus on the Northern Territory, home of Australia's nearest capital to Shanghai, and Victoria will promote innovation in school education.

Geoscience Australia will run a suite of events dedicated to showcasing Australia’s wealth of mineral and energy resources, and Austrade will join them to highlight the sophisticated mining equipment, technology and services that augment these resources.  Also in Austrade's sights for trade and investment promotion in August will be accounting services and the food industry.  AustCham Shanghai will hold a seminar for its foundation and key corporate members.

September
September will include a focus on the "brilliant blend" that South Australia offers in terms of trade and investment opportunities.  Austrade's contributions will include an automotive trade seminar highlighting Australian expertise and complementarities with China's growing automotive sector, and a showcase of Australian information and communications technology.  Austrade will explore beauty product and pet accessory industries.

Western Australia will refocus attention on Australia’s expertise in the building and construction industries, while Austrade and the Australian Capital Territory continue the education theme.  The important role of sport in community and personal well-being will be explored.  A two-week exchange of young Australian researchers through the successful Australia-China Young Scientist Exchange Program will conclude with a debrief seminar in the pavilion.

October
The pavilion's six-month program concludes in October, which features the second in a series of events promoting Australia's "Wanwu" clean energy initiative, as well as a renewable energy workshop run by Queensland.  The Australia-China Council will promote corporate responsibility, and will celebrate the biennial Australian Studies in China Conference.  An event held by AustCham Shanghai to honour the finalists in the Australia-China Business Awards will be a memorable evening in the pavilion's well-appointed facilities.  A celebration of Australian wine, sport and fashion will set a festive mood to celebrate the end of a successful expo.

Throughout the six months, the pavilion's sponsors will host a number of corporate hospitality events as part of sponsorship agreements.  A selection of media and cultural events will also feature throughout the program.  The program remains subject to change.

All events are invitation-only.